NEWS

An eight metre yacht with one person on board was safely brought to shore off the Causeway Coast on Wednesday morning, April 8, after suffering engine trouble near the Skerries, prompting a call-out for Portrush RNLI’s inshore lifeboat. The volunteer crew was tasked by HM Coastguard at 11.29am following reports that the vessel was in difficulty off the Skerries, close to Portrush Harbour. In calm spring conditions, with clear skies, good visibility and only a light wind, the

Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has received plans for a new 154-caravan extension at Skerries Holiday Park in Portrush. The council’s planning department has recently received an application for 154 new static caravan pitches, along with associated amenity space, parking, and landscaping, on lands at and to the south-west of the existing park at 126 Dunluce Road. According to an accompanying Design and Access Statement , the site includes the access and front portio

Cloughmills Early Years, County Antrim Nine families in Cloughmills have been left without a place at the village’s only nursery setting, triggering growing anger among parents, staff and elected representatives who say children are being forced out of their own community despite space being available locally. The dispute centres on Cloughmills Early Years, the only local nursery provision serving the village outside Ballymena, where demand for places has outstripped the numb

The poster placed at two roadside junctions in Ballycastle, and inset, TUV MP Jim Allister and Sinn Féin MLA Philip McGuigan Political placards which had become the focus of local concern in Ballycastle have been removed following intervention by the Department for Infrastructure, prompting a fresh political row over standards for public displays in the town. The signs, located at the junction of Mary Street and Cushendall Road, were taken down after North Antrim MP Jim Allis

Visitors travelling to the North Coast for the Easter holiday weekend are being met with an increased police presence, as the Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed officers are out on patrol across the district today. With large numbers expected to travel to Portrush and surrounding coastal areas, police have issued a clear public safety message focused on responsible behaviour, road safety and respect for shared public spaces. In a statement issued today, officers sai

(L-R) Steven Kane, Senior Quality & Standards Advisor at Tourism NI pictured with Emma and Pete Hathaway, owners of Peatlands. A luxury countryside retreat near Ballymoney has received a major tourism boost after being awarded four stars by Tourism Northern Ireland’s Quality Grading Scheme, recognising the high standards, comfort and distinctive experience it offers visitors to the North Coast area. Peatlands, a secluded family-run accommodation business set within three acre

A 20-year-old man has died following a single-vehicle road traffic collision on the Castlecat Road in Dervock in the early hours of Sunday morning. The fatal crash happened shortly before 1am on Sunday, April 5, prompting an overnight emergency response and a police investigation at the scene. The Police Service of Northern Ireland confirmed on Sunday that the driver, a man from the Crossgar area, was taken to hospital after the collision but later died from his injuries. Col

One of the North Coast’s most eagerly anticipated community events is officially back, with organisers confirming that the Portrush RNLI Raft Race 2026 will take place on Saturday 23 May. The much-loved annual fundraiser, which draws rafters, families and spectators from across the area, is once again being staged in aid of RNLI Portrush, with entries now officially open. Organisers say the event is “all systems go” , with extensive planning already under way behind the scene

Castlecat Road in Dervock remains closed this morning, Sunday 5 April, following a serious one-vehicle road traffic collision in the early hours. Police were called to the scene at approximately 2am after the incident occurred overnight. The road closure remains in place as emergency response and any necessary investigation work continues at the scene. Diversions in place for motorists Diversions have been put in place, with motorists being urged to avoid the area and seek an

Cancer services in Northern Ireland remained under intense strain at the end of 2025, with the latest Department of Health figures showing that almost all key waiting time targets continued to be missed despite an increase in the number of patients beginning treatment and a sharp rise in breast cancer assessments. The newly published Accredited Official Statistics cover the quarter ending December 2025 and set out waiting times for patients accessing cancer services at hospit

The Police Service of Northern Ireland has issued a strong public safety appeal ahead of what is expected to be a busy Easter weekend on the North Coast, with large visitor numbers set to descend on Portrush and Portstewart. Police say officers will be deployed across key locations including transport hubs, beaches, hospitality venues and residential areas as part of a major effort to keep residents and visitors safe during one of the busiest holiday weekends of the year. Cau

Samuel and Elaine Caldwell (right) with Thomas and Sam Wright (left) and Ballymaconnelly Iceman who was the top price at the Dorset Diamonds Sale making 4,600gns. The 11th annual Dorset Diamonds Spring Sale delivered another standout day for Northern Ireland’s sheep breeding community, with local flocks commanding impressive prices and Ballymena once again at the heart of the action. Held at Ballymena Livestock Mart on Saturday, 28 March 2026, the prestigious sale saw a strin

(Photo Credit: Nathan Williams) Lifeguards will return to the sands of the North Coast this Good Friday, marking a significant double milestone for the RNLI as the charity enters a new season of coastal protection. From 3 April to 12 April , six of the region’s most popular beaches will be patrolled daily between 10am and 6pm . The seasonal rollout coincides with the 25th anniversary of the RNLI’s lifeguarding service across the UK, and a special 15-year anniversary for the s

Antrim Area Hospital Emergency Department Emergency departments across the Northern Health and Social Care Trust remain under significant pressure, interim chief executive Suzanne Pullins told a board meeting last week. Ms Pullins said the Trust’s emergency departments “remain under pressure from the number of people coming through the system”. The Northern Trust has reported a 12 per cent increase in emergency department (ED) attendances by patients aged over 75 at Causeway

Pictured at the Child Development Centre at the Robinson Memorial Hospital in Ballymoney are back row, left – right, Steven Johnston, Stevie Lennon, Mark Morrow, Joe Gillan from the Robinson Memorial Trust Board, Ronnie Blair, Bamber McKay. Front row, left to right, Paddy Graffin, Kori Gault, James Archer and David Robinson, President of the Robinson Memorial Trust Board. Children and families attending Ballymoney’s Child Development Centre are now being welcomed into a signi

It was a packed hall with 1000 guests attending EA’s Music Spring Gala hosted in partnership with Ulster University in the Diamond Hall at its Coleraine Campus. More than 500 young musicians from across north Antrim and mid Ulster have taken to the stage in a powerful celebration of music, community, and collaboration — marking a major milestone for youth music in the region. The EA Music Spring Gala 2026, held on Thursday 26 March at Ulster University’s Coleraine campus, bro

North Coast based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess. (Photo credit: Nathan Williams) A familiar face on the North Coast is now telling the story of lives saved at sea, as the RNLI marks a major milestone with a new podcast — just as lifeguards return to local beaches ahead of the Easter break. Portrush-based lifeguard supervisor Michael Jess is the narrator of We Are Lifeguards , a five-part series launched this week to celebrate 25 years of RNLI lifeguarding across the UK a

Stephanie Scott, Age Friendly Coordinator, and newly appointed Walking for All Officer, Colleen Martin, with participants from Cloughmills Community Action Team during a session promoting Age Friendly and Walking for All initiatives. A renewed push to help older people stay active, connected and heard is gathering pace in Cloughmills — with new efforts focused on turning the village into a truly age-friendly community. In a joint initiative led by Causeway Coast and Glens Bor

Golf Ireland outgoing President Michael Evans and new President Fiona Delargy at the Golf Ireland AGM in the Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone. (Photo credit: Bryan Keane / Inpho.) A proud moment for the north coast — and a landmark for women in sport — as Cushendall’s Fiona Delargy has been appointed President of Golf Ireland, becoming the first Ulster woman to take on the prestigious role. Her appointment was confirmed at the organisation’s 2026 National AGM, held on Saturday (Marc

Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Oliver McMullan, pictured with Winnie Mellet, President of Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, alongside representatives from Ballymoney Chamber of Commerce, CAN (Compass Advocacy Network), Lislagan Farm and FUSE FM at the launch of the 2026 Ballymoney Spring Fair. Ballymoney is preparing to burst into life this April as a colourful carnival, live music, and a packed programme of family-friendly events transform the town for a three-d